Strictly’s Neil Jones shocks fans as he makes HUGE gaffe live on air after ‘finally’ being paired with a celebrity

Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left shocked after professional dancer Neil Jones made a blunder during a live broadcast.

Despite having been on the show since 2016, Neil (41) has become known as one of the few professional dancers to ever land a celebrity partner. So when the launch show on Saturday night revealed he had been paired with 80s legend Toyah Wilcox, the star did little to hide his delight.

As the couple sat on the couch talking, Claudia joked that Neil had his own line of merchandise. Then they saw a photo of Neil’s 11-month-old daughter Havana wearing a babygrow with the words “My dad FINALLY has a partner.”

As the studio screamed and cheered, Neil threw his fists in the air and repeatedly shouted, “Finally!”

However, some viewers were confused by the outburst and used X to quickly remind Neil that he had been in a relationship before and that they hadn’t forgotten, despite the fact that he apparently had.

Despite being on the show since 2016, Neil has become known as one of the few professional dancers to land a celebrity partner, and when it was revealed on Saturday night that he had been paired with Toyah Wilcox, the star did little to hide his delight.

On Taking to X, one person wrote: ‘”Dad finally has a partner.” Uh, did you forget about this queen?!’ before posting a photo of him with sports analyst Alex Scott, 39, with whom he reached the quarterfinals in 2019.

Another viewer posted a photo of Neil with actress Nina Wadia, 54, who he dated two years later, writing: ‘Let’s not forget Ninia Wadia who got a real beating when she was eliminated first.’

However, others were quick to defend the professional dancer, saying it was all a joke as the collaboration was long overdue.

‘Because it’s been a few years, not because he’s never had one…it’s probably because it’s been a long time…it’s been a long time…he hasn’t had a partner in years, it’s kind of a running joke. I didn’t say he’s never had a partner.’

As the show progressed, when Claudia asked how it felt to be paired with Neil, Toyah replied: ‘I met Neil and I was in heaven. You’re all lovely boys, but not as lovely as Neil.’

Toya also promised that she would be “the first retiree to rappel through the studio.”

Earlier this year, the Latin American dancer revealed in an exclusive interview with MailOnline that he was able to attend the birth of his daughter Havana because he was away from the Strictly spotlight.

The 24-year-old TV personality and Love Island star Chyna Mills welcomed their first child together in October 2023, after first speaking openly about their romance in August 2022.

As she chatted with the couple on the couch, Claudia joked that Neil had his own merchandise line, before the cameras switched to a photo of Neil’s 11-month-old daughter Havana wearing a babygrow with the words: ‘My dad FINALLY has a partner’

As the studio screamed and cheered, Neil threw his fists in the air and repeatedly shouted, “Finally!”

Some viewers were confused by the outburst and used X to remind Neil that he had been paired up before, but others defended the dancers, claiming it was a joke.

Earlier, the Latin American dancer revealed in an exclusive interview with MailOnline that being away from the show allowed him to attend the birth of his daughter Havana

The 24-year-old TV personality and Love Island star Chyna Mills welcomed their first child in October 2023, after first going public about their romance in August 2022 (pictured in November)

Chyna took to Instagram to announce her daughter’s arrival, sharing a black-and-white photo of her daughter’s toes and writing, “Our hearts are so full” in October 2023

He told MailOnline: ‘This year everything happened in the right way because if I had had a partner I wouldn’t have been there for the birth of my daughter’ (pictured June 2023)

Neil told MailOnline at the time: ‘I say to [show bosses] every year if I have a partner or if I don’t have a partner. It doesn’t bother me.

“I would say, do what you have to do. If you find the right partner for me, I’m here for you.”

“But don’t feel obliged to give me a celebrity partner, that’s not a priority. I’ll enjoy it if I get that chance at Christmas.

‘This year everything went well, because if I had had a partner, I would not have been at the birth of my daughter.

‘I am very grateful to Strictly for taking part in this big show. I trust them and have respect for them.’

STRICT LINE-UP 2024

Chris McCausland

Age: 46

Occupation: Comedian

Chris says, “If there’s anyone out there who’s thinking, ‘How on earth is he going to do that?’ – I’m sure I’m thinking exactly the same thing.”

Doctor Punam Krishan

Age: Unknown

Occupation: general practitioner and announcer

Punam says: ‘I’ve watched Strictly every year and it feels extra special that this is the 20th year. I can’t believe I’m the one getting Strictly-fied.’

Toyah Willcox

Age: 66

Occupation: Singer, actor, presenter

Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and loving this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan, the glitter. It’s a milestone year for me, I came in as a pensioner, Glasto and now I’m getting spray tans.’

Peter Wicks

Age: 36

Occupation: Reality star

Pete says: ‘Dancing live for the people every Saturday? Really scary.’

Shayne Department

Age: 39

Occupation: Actor and singer

Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live TV, but Latin and Ballroom dancing in front of millions of people is a whole new level.’

Tom Dean

Age: 24

Occupation: Olympic medal-winning swimmer

Tom says: ‘Now I can officially say how excited I am to start something new, meet some brilliant people and go dancing’

Nick Kennes

Age: 61

Occupation: TV presenter

Nick says, ‘I’m going all in, I’m going for it 100 percent!’

Montell Douglas

Age: 38

Occupation: Former Team GB Olympian and current Gladiator

Montell says, “Hopefully some of my Gladiator moves will come in handy in the Tango or Paso Doble!”

JB Gill

Age: 37

Occupation: Singer

JB says, “A lot of the ballroom styles are very foreign to me — I didn’t do those dances growing up. I’m not a trained dancer.”

Wynne Evans

Age: 52

Occupation: Opera singer, presenter

Wynne says, “What I’m nervous about is the things that involve jumping. I don’t necessarily want to do the jive, I’m nervous about that.

Tasha Ghouri

Age: 25

Occupation: Model and reality star

Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little. It’s a real Ghouri family favourite. So this is a dream come true.’

Sarah Hadland

Age: 53

Occupation: Actress

Sarah says: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of such an iconic show that’s been around for 20 years.’

Jamie Borthwick

Age: 30

Occupation: EastEnders star

Jamie says: ‘I had a great time doing the Christmas special so when I was asked to join in it was a no brainer!’

Sam Quek

Age: 35

Occupation: Former GB hockey player and presenter

Sam says: ‘I’m so relieved it’s out now, it was hard keeping it a secret! The rumours got out and I had to lie! I’m used to dancing on a girls night out but I’m going to give it my all’

Paul Merson

Age: 56

Occupation: Former footballer

Paul says: ‘I only worry about it when it starts, but once it happens I get nervous. After all, I’ve only danced three times in my life!’